Activation and Blockade of the Nicotinic and Glutamatergic Synapses by Reversible and Irreversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Abstract

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-ionic channel (AChR)4 of the neuromuscular junction, particularly that from Torpedo electric tissue, is the best characterized of all receptors. It has been functionally isolated, and the topographic arrangement of the polypeptide subunits and the amino acid composition have been detailed (Klymkowsky et al., 1980; Karlin et al., 1983; Noda et al., 1983; Sakmann et al., 1985). The involvement of some of these subunits in the binding sites for drugs has been determined biochemically and electrophysiologically (Krodel et al., 1979; Horn et al., 1980; Karlin, 1980; Aguayo et al., 1981; Spivak and Albuquerque, 1982; Changeux et al., 1984; Wan and Lindstrom, 1984).